The modern conveniences of American culture have replaced the team of horses, or oxen, and the plow with tractors and other machinery. However, there are a few farmers who still use them — especially in the areas of strong Amish influence — and, third world countries often don’t have any other way to plow.
When we lived in Florida, our yard consisted of sand burs and fire ants — so, a few years ago, after our move to Virginia, I was aching to get my “toes in the dirt” and have a garden. My wonderful neighbors heard the news, and so, Mr. C. decided to help me out. The first site we chose didn’t turn out so well, so we decided to move on up to “higher ground.” We didn’t need a “plow” since it was only a small piece of land — so he brought out his rote tiller. There was one slight problem . . . It was rocky soil. After popping off a very valuable screw of his machinery, and working diligently to overcome, we were quite thankful when one of my other neighbors saw our plight, and kindly came with a tractor. Steadily he plowed the earth — while we picked rocks. . . Believe it or not, we were able to make the soil ready for planting, and ended up with a nice garden.
It wasn’t so much the means of getting the soil ready for planting that Jesus was getting at in our Scripture today. (Luke 9:57-62 NIV) He was using the commonplace things of life, the things those around Him were familiar with, to illustrate, and get across eternal messages.
The motive of the heart was Jesus’ concern. That’s where the truth of who we are really lives. Self proclaimed willingness to follow was one thing. Self abandoned following was another.
Steady following in hard times as well as good times. Steady following when others misunderstand our complete devotion and solid commitment to His call. Following fervently when earthly loves can’t comprehend the earnestness of obedience to Him alone. Following when all seems lost because we trust the One who called — to be faithful to complete His call in us. Steady, faithful, fervent, following.
This is the following our Christ demands. There simply is no other way to follow — for no other way would work. It is the wholehearted, passionate pursuit of loving Him and embracing His will.
By: Janene A. Dubbeld/FGG
“Not what I wish to be,
Nor where I wish to go,
For who am I, that I should choose my way?
The Lord shall choose for me
Tis better far I know
So let Him bid me go — or stay.”
—-C. Austin Miles/Mrs. R.R. Forman
Take it with You
“Jesus replied, ‘No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the Kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62 NIV
“As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. ‘Follow me.’ he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.” Matthew 9:9 NIV
“Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” NIV
Matthew 9:37-38
No comments:
Post a Comment